Squid predation by slender sunfish Ranzania laevis (Molidae)

J Fish Biol. 2017 Jun;90(6):2480-2487. doi: 10.1111/jfb.13315. Epub 2017 May 3.

Abstract

In addition to crustaceans, remains from 17 individual squid were found in the stomach of a 58 cm slender sunfish Ranzania laevis from Australia, adding a new prey item to their little studied diet. Taken together with existing data from the literature, crustaceans appear to be a common prey item, with larger R. laevis (26-65 cm) also taking small fish and squid. Along with new documentation on breaching, the unexpected finding of squid in the stomach confirms that these fish are fast and agile predators.

Keywords: Octopoteuthis; Ommastrephidae; beak; breaching; crustacean; diet.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Australia
  • Decapodiformes*
  • Diet
  • Predatory Behavior*
  • Tetraodontiformes / physiology*